Tucson-area rents changed very little in August, continuing a period of modest rent growth.
For a broader view of the local market, we use Pima County data from the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). The typical Pima County rent was $1,483 in August 2026, up 0.2% from the previous month and 1.6% from a year earlier.
Tucson Rental Market at a Glance
Typical Pima County Rent: $1,483
Month-over-Month Change: +0.2%
Year-over-Year Change: +1.6%
U.S. Typical Rent: $1,948
U.S. Year-over-Year Change: +2.5%
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI), August 2026.
Tucson-Area Rent Trends
Pima County rents continue to show modest growth rather than a significant change in direction. August's 1.6% year-over-year increase indicates that rents are higher than they were a year ago, but growth remains below the 2.5% national rate.
Month-to-month movement was also limited, with Zillow reporting a 0.2% increase from July to August.
For rental-property owners, these broader trends are useful context, but the performance of an individual rental will depend much more heavily on its location, condition, price and competing properties.
What Changed This Month?
Not much—and that's useful information in itself.
The typical Pima County rent increased just 0.2% in August, while annual rent growth stood at 1.6%. The latest numbers point to a relatively stable environment in which rents are growing modestly rather than accelerating or declining sharply.
What Does This Mean for Tucson Landlords?
Our overall approach remains largely unchanged.
With rents growing modestly, owners should continue to price rental properties based on current competing properties rather than relying on broader market growth to support a higher asking price.
Property condition, location, amenities and competing rental inventory can have a greater effect on an individual property's leasing performance than the countywide trend alone.
When a property isn't generating sufficient activity, responding to the market early can often be preferable to allowing additional vacancy while holding out for a higher monthly rent.
Related: Move-In Special or Lower Rent: Which Works Better for Tucson Rentals?
Tucson Rental Market Outlook
For now, the Tucson area appears to be experiencing modest rent growth rather than a significant acceleration or decline.
Year-over-year Pima County rent growth remains positive but below the national rate. We'll continue watching the data to see whether local rents gain additional momentum or remain relatively stable.
Individual rental properties can perform very differently depending on location, property type, condition and price. Countywide statistics provide useful context, but they should not be used as a substitute for evaluating the comparable rental properties competing with a specific home.
Tucson Rental Market FAQ
What is the typical rent in the Tucson area?
For our broader Tucson-area benchmark, we use Zillow's Pima County Observed Rent Index. The typical Pima County rent was $1,483 in August 2026.
Are Tucson-area rents increasing?
Yes, but modestly. Zillow reported Pima County rents up 1.6% year over year and 0.2% month over month in August 2026.
About the Data
Market data is based on the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for Pima County, which we use as a broader benchmark for the Tucson-area rental market. Countywide trends provide useful context, but individual properties and local submarkets may perform differently.
